TheBip
Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1041
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject: Annual vs Perennial |
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I have a question about annuals and perennials. I was under the impression that annuals only last one year/seaon and perennials come back every year.
My coworker (we work at at Home Depot, we're both cashiers, but shes usually in the garden center while Im stuck inside... gah) says no, annuals come back every year and perennial means permanent......... can someone set us straight?
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And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
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toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11714
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Annual plants live their complete life cycle in one year or growing season. Annuals that produce blooms will set seed and grow new plants the next season. The further south you live the more likely it is that you can have annuals that stay green thru the winter or you can dig them up to keep in a greenhouse.
A perennial plant is one that has a life cycle of more than two years. There are tender perennials that if not given the proper protection in the winter will die and not return.
Ummmmmm, she is working in the garden section???
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To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
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TheBip
Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1041
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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lol yeah shes in the garden center. I knew about the seeds, maybe thats what she was thinking?
Anyhoo, I didn't really take it further cause we had customers and she seemed to be in not too good a mood.....
_________________
And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
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Droopy
Regular Plants Contributor
Western Norway
Posts: 9336
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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I've met lots of not-too-knowledgable people in the nurseries, but your collegue's definition of annuals and perennials is new to me.
I use annuals where the early bloomers leave bare spots in the borders, and in containers. If they refuse to die off in autumn, I'll have trouble come spring. 
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Wrennie
Catskill Mountains NY
Posts: 645
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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What does she think a biennial is? 
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TheBip
Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1041
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| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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No idea *lol*
_________________
And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
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sapphirefly
arkansas
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:15 am Post subject: not the only one confused |
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Your not the only one who has been confused by the difference between annual and perennial. Most of my local garden centers will tell you backwards - both chains and locally owned garden specialty shops. They frequently even mark the plants as annuals when the are perennials. I guess the only answer is to research the plants before I buy.
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